OP I think if you want to give her notice there's nothing wrong with that, it's your call. However I would caution you to be careful about a vague 2-3 weeks or similar. You need a specific, definite date upfront, otherwise you risk it dragging out. So decide exactly what you are comfortable with and stick to it from the start.

I like the idea of a definite end date. How about 19 august or 26 August? Both are Fridays.

OP I think if you want to give her notice there's nothing wrong with that, it's your call. However I would caution you to be careful about a vague 2-3 weeks or similar. You need a specific, definite date upfront, otherwise you risk it dragging out. So decide exactly what you are comfortable with and stick to it from the start.

I like the idea of a definite end date. How about 19 august or 26 August? Both are Fridays.

huh? Had a definite moment where i was like oh good, i have plenty of time for- wait....No, that can't be right. lol can you tell I am the sort of person whose friends heave a sigh of relief when i show up for the right class at the right time in the right room? I think my bff's blood pressure went down a bit when I purchased a daily planner for this year.

if she is off now between contracts, then contact her now and let her know that upon her return, you will no longer be able to assist her. For contact means, I would contact her how ever you would contact her if you were going to be out sick one day...your normal means of contact.

That way you are giving her notice now that she needs to find a ride and with her being out of the office, you hopefully will not hear comments for at least a day or two from your co-workers about giving her a ride.

I like the idea of a definite end date. How about 19 august or 26 August? Both are Fridays.

I swear to deity, before I saw this, I had just posted on Twitter/Facebook about how October should be the 8th month since "octo-" means 8 and this should be August!!!

OP, can you call her this week? Don't wait until you see her - give her a heads up now that you can't do it anymore, and she has until Monday to come up with another plan (like drive her own darn car!).

if she is off now between contracts, then contact her now and let her know that upon her return, you will no longer be able to assist her. For contact means, I would contact her how ever you would contact her if you were going to be out sick one day...your normal means of contact.

That way you are giving her notice now that she needs to find a ride and with her being out of the office, you hopefully will not hear comments for at least a day or two from your coworkers about giving her a ride.

ITA with everyone who said call her now (especially the idea about a script)'

Think if it this way - the original deal was until she got a car ( you decided to wait until the contract ran out). SHE & HER DH HAVE A CAR AND THE CONTRACT DID RUN OUT. - just because she has a new one does NOT obligate you to continue.

-because she wants to minimize the impact on the coworker-because she has to continue working with this lady and wants to maintain as "nice" a relationship as possible-to appear to external parties (fellow coworkers) to be fair and reasonable and minimize any workplace unpleasantness which while shouldn't happen in reality might, people being as nosy and rude as they are-because after letting it drag on for so long she feels bad cutting off cold turkey (she feels bad enough cutting off at all, it's harder if you feel you haven't even warned the other person).

Of course, none of these things are necessary and the OP is not required to give the lady any notice, but I completely understand why she feels it's something she wants to do. I don't think there's anything wrong with that if it makes her feel more comfortable with her decision.

-because she wants to minimize the impact on the coworker-because she has to continue working with this lady and wants to maintain as "nice" a relationship as possible-to appear to external parties (fellow coworkers) to be fair and reasonable and minimize any workplace unpleasantness which while shouldn't happen in reality might, people being as nosy and rude as they are-because after letting it drag on for so long she feels bad cutting off cold turkey (she feels bad enough cutting off at all, it's harder if you feel you haven't even warned the other person).

Of course, none of these things are necessary and the OP is not required to give the lady any notice, but I completely understand why she feels it's something she wants to do. I don't think there's anything wrong with that if it makes her feel more comfortable with her decision.

I understand wanting to make this as painless a transition as possible, but I could also see other coworkers (like the one who feels the OP should keep doing this) feeling that if the OP were going to cease the carpooling, then she should've mentioned it prior to the start of the new contract (I could also see CW AND her DH feeling the same way). Also, they could point out that mentioning it between contracts would be when CW could/would have time to make other arrangements, instead of trying to find the time to do so while working.

I really don't think, in the PoV of those who think OP should continue (buttinsky CW and moocher CW) that OP will come out looking good in this, no matter when she decides to cease the carpooling, so I think she might as well cease ASAP.

-because she wants to minimize the impact on the coworker-because she has to continue working with this lady and wants to maintain as "nice" a relationship as possible-to appear to external parties (fellow coworkers) to be fair and reasonable and minimize any workplace unpleasantness which while shouldn't happen in reality might, people being as nosy and rude as they are-because after letting it drag on for so long she feels bad cutting off cold turkey (she feels bad enough cutting off at all, it's harder if you feel you haven't even warned the other person).

Of course, none of these things are necessary and the OP is not required to give the lady any notice, but I completely understand why she feels it's something she wants to do. I don't think there's anything wrong with that if it makes her feel more comfortable with her decision.

Fair enough, but I think the downside is that the more notice that OP gives - the more likely that Passenger will think that the ride situation will continue to extend indefinitely.

I think one week is fine - two, at the outside. Three weeks could be just too much to expect that Passenger will take it seriously.

-because she wants to minimize the impact on the coworker-because she has to continue working with this lady and wants to maintain as "nice" a relationship as possible-to appear to external parties (fellow coworkers) to be fair and reasonable and minimize any workplace unpleasantness which while shouldn't happen in reality might, people being as nosy and rude as they are-because after letting it drag on for so long she feels bad cutting off cold turkey (she feels bad enough cutting off at all, it's harder if you feel you haven't even warned the other person).

Of course, none of these things are necessary and the OP is not required to give the lady any notice, but I completely understand why she feels it's something she wants to do. I don't think there's anything wrong with that if it makes her feel more comfortable with her decision.

Fair enough, but I think the downside is that the more notice that OP gives - the more likely that Passenger will think that the ride situation will continue to extend indefinitely.

I think one week is fine - two, at the outside. Three weeks could be just too much to expect that Passenger will take it seriously.

Oh I do agree, which is why I think it's so crucial to be specific, definite and strict on it. The longer it drags out the easier it is to get cold feet on these hard decisions.

-because she wants to minimize the impact on the coworker-because she has to continue working with this lady and wants to maintain as "nice" a relationship as possible-to appear to external parties (fellow coworkers) to be fair and reasonable and minimize any workplace unpleasantness which while shouldn't happen in reality might, people being as nosy and rude as they are-because after letting it drag on for so long she feels bad cutting off cold turkey (she feels bad enough cutting off at all, it's harder if you feel you haven't even warned the other person).

Of course, none of these things are necessary and the OP is not required to give the lady any notice, but I completely understand why she feels it's something she wants to do. I don't think there's anything wrong with that if it makes her feel more comfortable with her decision.

this thread was started on September 23rd, and the CW had already been informed that the rides would stop. that's nearly two weeks of notice that the CW would need to make other arrangements for transportation. another two or three weeks before ceasing to give rides would lead the CW to believe that gen xer has changed her mind.

I like the idea of a definite end date. How about 19 august or 26 August? Both are Fridays.

I swear to deity, before I saw this, I had just posted on Twitter/Facebook about how October should be the 8th month since "octo-" means 8 and this should be August!!!

OT: October was the eighth month on the Roman calendar out of ten. When Pope Gregory XII ordered the change in the calendar in 1592 it retained its name in the Gregorian calendar even though it became the tenth month.

-because she wants to minimize the impact on the coworker-because she has to continue working with this lady and wants to maintain as "nice" a relationship as possible-to appear to external parties (fellow coworkers) to be fair and reasonable and minimize any workplace unpleasantness which while shouldn't happen in reality might, people being as nosy and rude as they are-because after letting it drag on for so long she feels bad cutting off cold turkey (she feels bad enough cutting off at all, it's harder if you feel you haven't even warned the other person).

Of course, none of these things are necessary and the OP is not required to give the lady any notice, but I completely understand why she feels it's something she wants to do. I don't think there's anything wrong with that if it makes her feel more comfortable with her decision.

this thread was started on September 23rd, and the CW had already been informed that the rides would stop. that's nearly two weeks of notice that the CW would need to make other arrangements for transportation. another two or three weeks before ceasing to give rides would lead the CW to believe that gen xer has changed her mind.

Yeah, it's been a few weeks already. Something tells me the OP will be driving Miss Daisy yet again on Monday.

I can appreciate how difficult it is to say 'no' but I hope the OP practices it and uses it soon. I can't wait to read an update of "no more rides." *crossing fingers for the OP*